Hello everyone, I came across a 686-5 in .38 today at a local store. The gun has a Clark grand master barrel on it and a super slick action - the salesman didn't know much about it so I have no idea if it is a custom gun or what. My question is the price tag says $750 but it looks very similar to this one
Smith & Wesson Model 686-5 .357 Magnum "Power Custom" - Smith & Wesson Revolvers
By very similar I mean same barrel contour, ribs, and sights.

So is this just an incredible deal or what?

Anyway thanks for the help in advance!

Power & Clark had a run for it in the PPC guns, as I remember they both used Douglas barrels and had a good action. The one for 2 grand is way over price to me and the one for 750 is about 200 over. The main thing is that are you going to keep it or sell it after 200 rounds. If you are going to keep it then get what you want. I'm trying to say you won't get your money back. The 686 is just as good as any of them, get a trigger job and go for it. The custom guns look cool and they shoot good. But S&W ended thier life with the 586 - 686 when they were first made.

Okay I think I understand, so this is just a 686-5 with a custom barrel on it and nothing else really special about it?

That sums it up short and sweet. They were the guns to have when PPC started and Smith put a end to it. The 686-5 and up makes a good working gun for matches and such, better I think than the -4 and down make. The -4 and down are more for collection and shooting at cans and such. Of course that is my thinking and 2 bucks will get a cup of tea .

Cool, Thanks for the quick replies. Might be looking elsewhere for a wheel gun then.

I'm curious, what exactly makes the 686-5 and up "superior for matches..." ??

You are describing a 686 that has been customized for PPC. Clark was one of the premier custom PPC revolver gunsmiths and if your gun is truly a Clark Custom (vs just having a Clark barrel) the $750 price is not out of line. Just remember, PPC guns are a niche market and usually only PPC shooters would pay that much for a tricked out gun. The Ron Power gun you linked to was overpriced IMO but that revolver was arguably THE premier PPC revolver of yesteryear. If you are just wanting a good shooting revolver, save yourself a few bucks and find a good K or L frame that has not had all the custom work done that you do not really need unless you are planning on competing with the revolver.

These guys are right on, The older PPC guns have no collector value,most new shooters today only shoot semi-auto ,so there is not much of a market for used ppc revolvers,and 2000 for an old one is waaaay out of place 500-600 for the real old ones,7 - 1000 for a newer one, 2000 is about right for a new Tanaka or Jones gun,but for everyday shooting you want a 6" L frame or a model 14 or 14 with a underlug a real nice version of these guns should be 500-750 and if you are not happy with it you wont have any problem selling it.my .02

YOU ARE ON THE MONEY, CALREB ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

The -5 has the MIM parts and you can measure one and drop it in a bag with fifty and they all measure the same, the old forged units will all be different. Mim is more square, easy to slick up action than the forged unit. Now Please don't get me wrong, I am not in way cutting down the older units. They were hand fitted with love and care, so why screw it up to make a match gun . The older units are a piece of art, the newer ones from -5 and up are the proud product of a machine.

A couple of years ago, there were two Power Grand Master's for sale at a gun show for about $1500. I think they were around $1000 new. Personaly, I think they would be very heavy. A standard L frame has the balance and accuracy for PPC shooting. The adjustable front sights are handy though.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I have a 6" 686 no dash and it is one of the most accurate guns I own. It will shoot into 1 1/2" at 25 yards with the right ammo. Only thing done to it was grinding all the serrations off the trigger for double action shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

One of the pros I used to shoot with had a model 66 with a heavy barrel conversion for PPC shooting. Very nice gun. personally, I like the frame size and lower bore axis of the K frame over the L frame.

Hi guys, I understand that this is an old thread.

So what you are saying is that I might have "over paid" for a Grand Master for PPC for about $3k serial number begins with CEA if that means anything

Welcome aboard!

It's hard to say that you overpaid, since I'm not sure where you live and the what the market prices are there.

$3000 would be too much to pay here in the USA, but values are vastly different in other countries. A lot has to do with the gun laws and restrictions in your country.

We have a member from Switzerland who regularly posts about desirable guns that he purchased for a fraction of what they would bring here. Some of the guns he's purchased are virtually unobtainable under our laws. Lucky guy! Another member from Brazil recently posted about a refinished Colt .22 pistol from the 1970's that he just sold for over $2500 USD. A seller would be lucky to get $800 here in the States.

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"I also cook."